Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has criticised his players following the disastrous 7-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Red Devils played well in the first half against Jurgen Klopp’s team, and Cody Gakpo’s late goal was the only reason they fell behind.
However, United lost its composure after the break and gave up as many as six goals. This loss ranks the club’s joint-worst ever; the previous mark was set in 1931.
Ten Hag expressed his disappointment in the outcome and claimed that the performance was “unacceptable” since the players didn’t keep track of the runs.
While speaking to the club’s official website, he said:
“You can have setbacks but what can’t happen is you don’t stick together. You have to do your job, it’s not possible to make the wrong decisions in the transitions.”
“We didn’t track the runs. We didn’t track back and that, for me, is unacceptable. You can’t allow this as a squad or a team.”
United has not played at its best defensively in the past few months, but they have a history of securing victories late in games. The Red Devils were still in the game with a 1-0 deficit at Anfield, but they disappeared after the break. There was a definite absence of unity.
In the second half, United hardly provided an attacking move and their defence was all over the place. The backline was unable to handle the counterattacks. Erik ten Hag will seek a strong response from his team when they play Real Betis on Thursday night. The humiliating loss was simply unexpected.
The starting lineup will undoubtedly change under the Dutch tactician. It might begin in defence, where Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot might be benched against the Spanish side.
